Customs authorities in Hong Kong and Macau have seized more than HK$110 million worth of smuggled goods and cash, after officers intercepted two river trade vessels in waters between the two special administrative regions.

Four men, aged between 40 and 76, have been arrested.

The haul included red wine, frozen meat, cigars, electronic products and HK$23 million of cash.

"It was the first time that we found criminals smuggling a large amount of cash from Hogn Kong to Macau using river trade vessels," said Grace Tang, a group head of the Customs and Excise Department, during a press conference on Sunday.

Customs officials here said they launched the joint operation as they suspect smugglers have switched to taking the river route to via Macau to transport goods to the mainland after the authorities stepped up efforts in crack down on sea and land smuggling.